How Many Solar Panels Will Heat Your Pool?

Several factors determine exactly how many solar collector panels are needed to heat your pool — everything from pool size and length of season to the desired temperature and whether or not you use a pool cover.

As a general rule, you need fewer panels the sunnier your climate is year-round and for a ballpark estimation, Pool & Spa Living solar technology advisor Robert Kyriakides suggests you determine the surface area of your pool by multiplying its length by its width. So if you have a 16- by 32-foot pool, that amounts to 512 feet

• If you live north of the Mason-Dixon line, the area of panels needed should be about two-thirds the pool surface area, or roughly 333 feet of panel collectors.
• If you live south of the Mason-Dixon line, the panel area should be half the pool surface area, in this case 256 feet.